Irony in Pride and Prejudice - 995 Words

Irony in Pride and Prejudice Irony forms the alma mater of Jane Austen’s novels. Likewise, â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† is steeped in irony of theme, situation, character, and narration. Austen uses it to establish the contrast between appearance and reality. As one examines â€Å"Pride and Prejudice†, one discovers the ironic significance of how pride leads to prejudice and prejudice invites pride. Importantly, the novel elucidates how both â€Å"Pride† and â€Å"Prejudice† have their corresponding virtues bound up within them: an intricate relationship that is at once contradictory yet deep. This goes in parlance with the critics of Austen who hold that she used irony as a shield to express her radical ideas. It enables her to expose the ills behind†¦show more content†¦Mr. Darcy remarks about Elizabeth that: â€Å"tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  We relish the ironical flavour of this statement much later when we reflect that the woman who was not handsome enough to dance with was really good enough for him tomarry. He removes Bingley from Netherfield because he considers it imprudent to forge a marriage alliance with the Bennet Family, but himself ends up marrying the second Bennet sister. Collins proposes to Elizabeth when her heart is full of Wickham and Darcy proposes to her exactly at the moment when she hates him most. Elizabeth tells Mr. Collins that she is not the type to reject the first proposal and accept the second but does exactly this when Darcy proposes a second time. The departure of the militia from Meryton was expected to put an end to Lydias flirtations. Ironically, it brings about her elopement. The Lydia-Wickham episode may seem like an insurmountable barrier between Elizabeth and Darcy, but is actually instrumental in bringing them together. Lady Catherine, attempting to prevent their marriage only succe eds in hastening it. Irony in character is even more prominent than irony of situation. It is ironical that Elizabeth who prides herself on her perception is quite blinded by her own prejudices and she errs in judging intricate characters. Wickham appears suave and charming but isShow MoreRelated Essay on the Irony of Pride in Pride and Prejudice1262 Words   |  6 PagesThe Irony of Pride in Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚   Jane Austen uses the elements of both pride and prejudice to develop the satire in her novel. Austen presents pride as both a vice and a virtue. Austen first introduces pride as a vice of arrogance and prejudice, but as the characters in the novel develop so does the concept of pride. Towards the end of the novel pride becomes the vehicle for many of the noble actions taken by the main characters. Austen skillfully interweaves the two parts ofRead More Irony in Pride and Prejudice Essay2389 Words   |  10 PagesPride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels written by Jane Austen. This romantic novel, the story of which revolves around relationships and the difficulties of being in love, was not much of a success in Austens own time. However, it has grown in its importance to literary critics and readerships over the last hundred years. There are many facets to the story that make reading it not only amusing but also highly interesting. 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Essentially, the positions and stances the characters hold on the issues on family, marriage, and love, change throughout the book, differing from the previous expectations seen at the beginning of the novel for each individual character. A great example of this is the position that Mr. Bennet holds on the idea of a happy marriage at the beginning of the novel, andRead More Essay on Irony, Values and Realism in Pride and Prejudice1152 Words   |  5 PagesIrony, Values and Realism in Pride and Prejudice The focus of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice is the prejudice of Elizabeth Bennet against the apparent arrogance of her future suitor, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the blow to his pride in falling in love with her. The key elements of the story are the irony, values and realism of the characters as they develop. Jane Austen ¹s irony is devastating in its exposure of foolishness and hypocrisy. 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She writes, IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife (Austen 5). Most readers think of this as humorous and quite laughable. It does not necessarily follow that a manRead MorePride and Prejudice Narrative Style Essay1285 Words   |  6 PagesJane Austen the author of Pride and Prejudice a novel where irony is considered the foundation for this novel. Irony, humour and the extensive use of dialogue complement each other to create an inviting novel for potential readers to lose themselves in. Irony is used to show the difference in truth and the way things may seem. Austen uses irony to create deeper emotions and laugh and characters perceptions in the novel. Humour is also used to show relationships but to guide the reader to understandRead MoreJane Austens Influence in the Romantic Period958 Words   |  4 Pagesdevelop the first draft o f three of her novels. In 1809, Jane initiated to take her writing career seriously, and in a span of four years, she published four different novels that became profoundly successful: â€Å"Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815)† (Smith). â€Å"After publishing Emma, Jane started to develop symptoms of what may have been Addisons disease, and in July 18, 1817, Jane died† (Klackle). To show the honor that they had to their sisterRead MoreEssay about Importance of Manners in Pride and Prejudice822 Words   |  4 PagesImportance of Manners in Pride and Prejudice Manners have survived throughout the many passing years of history and culture to influence the ways human beings interact even today in the way we relate to one another: what is acceptable and unacceptable social behavior. Proper manners in everything from conversation to eating have long been distinguishing mark of social status. Even now they are often important in business and social situations. But in the eighteenth century, manners